Key Points The average Social Security benefit in 2026 is $2,071. You can do better by boosting your earnings and working at least 35 years. Delaying your claim until age 70 could also result in a much larger monthly payday. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Social Security is nothing short of a financial lifeline for millions of older Americans today. But unfortunately, there are a lot of retirees who are forced to live on Social Security alone. And that may b ...